An iPhone liquid detected alert means the phone has found moisture in its charging port or on a cable or accessory, so it blocks charging until everything is dry. It appears on iPhone XR, iPhone XS and later, and charging through it can corrode the pins and permanently damage the connector.
Unplug the cable, let the iPhone dry in open air for at least 30 minutes and try again. A Qi-certified wireless charger works in the meantime as long as the back of the iPhone is dry.
An iPhone Liquid Detected Alert Needs the Port Dry Before You Charge
An iPhone with a Lightning connector shows “Charging Not Available” when it is connected to a charger and “Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector” when a Lightning accessory is attached. With a USB-C connector, the alert reads “Liquid Detected in USB-C Connector” when a USB-C to USB-A cable is connected to a charger or accessory, and “Liquid Detected” when a USB-C accessory is attached. The fix is the same for every version.
- Unplug the cable from the iPhone and from the power adapter or accessory.
- Do not reconnect anything until the iPhone and the cable are completely dry.
- Gently tap the iPhone against your hand with the connector facing down to shake out excess liquid.
- Leave it in a dry spot with airflow for at least 30 minutes, then try charging or connecting the accessory again.
- If the alert returns, keep the iPhone somewhere dry with airflow for up to a day, retrying now and then, because full drying can take up to 24 hours.
If the iPhone is dry but still will not charge, unplug the cable from the adapter, unplug the adapter from the wall if you can, and connect them all again.
Rice, Swabs and Compressed Air Make the Problem Worse
Do not put the iPhone in rice, because rice particles can damage it. Keep cotton swabs and paper towels out of the connector, skip compressed air and stay away from external heat sources, which can also wear down the battery.
When you reconnect, the iPhone lets you override the alert and charge anyway. Use that only in an emergency, because the pins are exposed to moisture while it charges.
Contact the Accessory Maker or Apple if the Alert Keeps Coming Back
If the alert appears every time you use one specific cable or accessory, that accessory may be damaged, and its maker is the one to contact. If it appears with every Apple Lightning or USB-C cable or accessory, even when nothing is wet, the iPhone needs service through Apple’s support site, where you can request a repair.
